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WISCONSIN JUBILEE 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CELEBRATION 

cn^^ bY THE .® 4£- 

COUNTY AND CITY OF LA CROSSE 

On Wisconsin having achieved fifty years 
of statehood. 



La Crosse County Historical Society organized May 28, 1898. 
Grand Celebration held at La Crosse July 4, 1898. 



s^ 



^ 



REPUBLICAN AND LEADER PRINT, 
LA CROSSE, WIS, 




JAN 19 \90l 
D.ofD, 






INTRODUCTORY. 
By R. Calvert, Secretary 



On May 28, 1898, half a century having elapsed since the 
great State of Wisconsin cast off the habiliments of territorial 
youth and assumed the "toga virilis" of statehood, a general de- 
sire was manifested throughout its borders to make such a de- 
monstration as would be a fitting testimony to its progress in 
the past, and an incentive to emulate it in the future. 

The County of La Crosse, as it always does, quickly res- 
ponded to the sentiment, and its County Board of Supervisors 
set the project in motion by an appropriation of $500 and the 
appointment of a Committee to carry it into effect. 

The Committee consisted of W. C. Winter, N. R. Nelson, 
Frank Pooler, F. P. Coburn and Wm. Smith, and they at once 
invited the co-operation of all organizations throughout the 
County. 

Several of these bodies responded, and a joint meeting was 
held at which were represented the Board of County Supervi- 
sors, the La Crosse Board of Trade, the Old Settlers Associa- 
tion and the La Crosse County Horticultural Society. 

The subject was discussed pleasantly but earnestly, and 
while a general desire was manifested to commemorate the day 
by some ceremonial on the exact date, it was as generally be- 
lieved that a larger attendance could be secured and more 
enthusiasm aroused on Independence day which was so near at 
hand. 

After due discussion it was unanimously resolved to cele- 
brate the 28th day of May by a public gathering and the organi- 
zation of a Historical Association for the County, but that a 
popular demonstration upon a large scale should also be made 
on July 4th. , 

The following Executive Committee was elected to carry 
these ideas into effect: 



4 

John Pamperin La Crosse- 

Hon. T. A. Dyson La Crosse. 

J. C. Burns. La Crosse. 

N. R. Nelson La Crosse. 

S. H. Russell La Crosse. 

R. Calvert La Crosse. 

C. L. Lien La Crosse. 

W. C. Winter La Crosse. 

Paul W. Mahoney La Crosse. 

Frank Pooler Onalaska. 

F. P. Coburn West Salem. 

Edward Roessler. Siegel. 

L. Cox Mindora. 

Wm. Smith Bangor. 

The joint Committee then adjourned "sine die." 

On April 18, the Executive Committee met and organized 
by the election of 

John Pamperin as Chairman, 

R. Calvert as Secretary, 

J. M. Holley as Treasurer, 
and then proceeced to consider the requirements of the occasion. 

A list of possible Committees was suggested and the Chair- 
man authorized to report the same at an early date. 

On April 25, the Committee again met, and the Chairman 
presented the following list of Committees which was unani- 
mously approved: 

Finance: J. C. Burns, R. A. Scott, Adam Kroner, J. C. Michel, 

J. P. Salzer, J. A. Elliott, Frank Bartl, J. O. Storey, 

H. J. Hirshheimer, J. L. Pettingill, P. W, Mahoney, 

S. H. Russell. 

Speakers: James McCord, G. M. Woodward, A E. Bleekman. 

Decorations and Floats: O. J. Oyen, G. M. Heath, L, W. Foster, 

H. Schick, C. F. Klein. 
Grounds: Hon. T. A. Dyson, C. L. Lien, Geo. Zeisler, Jr., 0, J. 
Sorrenson, Peter Nelson. 



5 

Fireworks: E. T. Mueller, F. S. Walker, Will Ott. 

Music: W. A. Wiggenhorn, J. D. Hogan, William Goodrich. 

Printing: W. C. Winter, N. R. Nelson, W. L. Kaeppler. 

Transportation: W. L. Kaeppler, J. C. Burns, H. J. Hirshheimer. 

River Regatta: F. A. Copeland. 

Historical Society: Ellis B. Usher, chairman and the following 

members: 

City of La Crosse, Dr. W. A. Anderson, G. R. Montague, W. 
L. Osborne, J. M. Levy, Mons Anderson, 
Chas. Michel, L. C. Colman, E. Wiggenhorn, 
Geo. Brice, Harvey Hubbard, J. S. Medary, 
W. Tarbox, H. A. Winston, C. N. McCain. 

Barre Louis C. Sanders. 

Bangor. Wm. Smith, Dr. A. B. Newton, John Bradley, 

C. W. McKenzie, E. R. Roberts, John 
Wheldon. 

Burns John N. Jones, L. R. Brown. 

Campbell John Dawson, C. H. Hawkins, John Johnson. 

Farmington L. B. Cox, Geo. B. Barber, John B. Hewitt, 

F. S. Brown, James H. Hodge, B. F. McClin- 
tock, Wm. F. Storandt, G. W. Mansergh. 

Greenfield Herman Roessler, And. Boschert, H. Free- 

hoff. 

Holland Thos. Johnson, R. La Fleur. 

West Salem L. Lottridge, O. S. Sisson, A. McEldowney, 

Jesse Johnson, A. J. Philips, Jay Pettingill, 
Philip McConnell, Wm. Vanzandt, Daniel 
Shane, F. B. Smith, Davis Lewis, David Mc 
Clintock, J. W. Ramsey, John Coburn, F. P. 
Coburn, Phil. Quiggle. 

Onalaska Frank Pooler, M. M. Buttles, Chas. Farrand, 

Thos. Livingston, H. T. Wilhelm, C. G. Hall, 
Wallace W. Smith. 

Shelby Chas. Linse, Peter Kienholz, E. Markie. 



Washington David Stromstad, John Strupp. 

Later the untimely death of the Hon. T. A. Dyson created 
a vacancy which was filled by the appointment of Joseph 
Boschert on the Executive Committee and as Chairman of the 
Committee on Grounds. 

These Committes at once assumed their several duties and 
reports of their labors will be found in their proper places, but it 
may be here stated that no set of Committees ever performed 
more laboriously and faithfully their several duties, nor achieved 
such perfect success, and at no period in the history of La 
Crosse County was there manifested such a spirit of enthusiasm, 
of hearty co-operation, and liberal response to all requirements. 

The Executive Committee remained in almost continuous 
session and at their meetings, the following appointments 
were made: 

President of the day Hon. J. W. Losey . 

Vice Presidents for the towns. 

Barre Geo. Sprain, 

Bangor W. A. Smith, 

Burns John N. Jones. 

Campbell C. H. Hawkins, 

Farmington Frank Storandt, 

Greenfield Herman Roessier, 

Holland A. H. Bratberg, 

Hamilton F. P. Coburn, 

Onalaska V. S. Keppel, 

Shelby Geo. A. Hosmer, 

Washington Wenzel Korn, 

West Salem Jay Pettingill, 

City of Onalaska Frank Pooler. 

Vice Presidents, La Crosse City. 

i st and i ith Wards .A. Hirshheimer, 

2nd and 12th Wards Mons Anderson, 

3rd and 1 3th Wards J. M. Levy, 



7 

4th and 14th Wards David Austin, 

5th and 1 5th Wards Wm. Gohres, 

6th and 16th Wards C. L. Colman, 

7th and 17th Wards C. Kurtenacker, 

8th and 18th Wards John Gund, Sr., 

9th and 19th Wards Geo. H. Kingsley, 

10th and 20 Wards Wm. H. Gordon. 

Col. N. R. Nelson was appointed Chief Marshal with 
power to select his own aids and deputies. 

The result of the combined labors of the Staff and Com- 
mittees was the grandest demonstration ever attempted in the 
City of La Crosse, one which was in all respects a perfect suc- 
cess, a fitting tribute to the occasion which called it forth, an 
evidence of the prosperity and resources of the county and a 
convincing proof of the loyality and patriotism of its citizens. 



^f^jgj|^ 



Secretary. 



CONTINUATION 

BY JOHN PAMPERIN, CHAIRMAN OF THE 
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 

The foregoing introduction suggests in a general way the 
scope of the task entrusted to the Executive Committee, but 
none but those who witnessed or participated in the proceedings 
can form an idea of the magnitude of the undertaking as it grew 
upon our hands, each Committee making valuable suggestions, 
which were all carefully consideied, until the various ideas were 
moulded into a harmonious whole. 

In laying the details before the subscribers the difficulty 
consists in knowing where to begin so as to make the narra- 
tive lucid and connected, and perhaps the best way will be to 
let each Committee tell its own story and then sum up the 
whole. 

In all undertakings of this nature the first and most serious 
consideration is "ways and means" and in considering that 
question the Executive Committee felt very slight apprehension 
the County Board had laid a nest egg of liberal dimensions and 
the Committee relied upon the often tried and as often proved 
liberality of the Citizens of La Crosse to do the rest. That they 
Awere justified in their belief will be seen by the reports which 
ollow: 



COMMITTEE ON A HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

The committee appointed in connection with this celebration, 
for the purpose of organizing a permanent County Historical Society 
as a memorial ot the observance by the County of La Crosse of the 
golden anniversary of the State, beg leave to report as follows: 

In order that all portions of the county should be represented, 
the committee was ne-essarily a large one, and a list of their names 
will be found in the roll of committees recorded by the Secretary in 
his introduction. 

In response to the call of the Chairman, this committee met in 
the supervisors' room, in the Court House, in this city, at 2:00 
o'clock p. m., on the second day of May. The following gentlemen 
were in attendance. 

West Salem— Leonard Lottridge, Andrew McEldowney, O. S. 

Sisson, J. J. Johnson. 

Campbell— John Dawson, C. H. Hawkins. 
Onalaska— C. W. Farrand, Wallace Smith. 
Shelby— Emanuel Markle. 
Greenfield— H. Freehoff. 

At this meeting Ellis B. Usher presided, and Lucius 0. Colman 
acted as Secretary. 

A committee was appointed, consisting of Leonard Lottridge, 
C. W. Farrand and L. C. Colman, who reported a plan of organiza- 
tion conformable to the statutes and to the rules laid down by the 
State Historical Society of Wisconsin for the organization of county 
societies auxiliary thereto, and their report was adopted. 

The following named persons were selected by the meeting as 
officers, whose names should be used as incorporators, and who, 
under the law, would hold office until the annual election in No- 
vember : 

President— Ellis B. Usher. 

Vice President— A. McEldowney. 

Secretary— W. W. Jones. 

Treasurer— M. M. Buttles. 

Advisory Committee— G. R. Montague, John Dawson, L. B. 

Cox. 

The committee was then continued with instructions to com- 
plete the legal organization and report at the meeting of the Old 
Settlers' Association, to be held at West Salem on May 28th. 



10 

On that date the committee reported that the legal organiza- 
tion had been duly effected, and that under the bylaws the monthly 
meetings would be held on the first Tuesday in each month, except- 
ing the months of June, July, August and September. 

The annual dues were fixed at one dollar, and membership re- 
stricted to residents of La Crosse County. . 

This statement comprehends all that is to be said of the pur- 
pose and accomplishments of this committee, up to date, but it is 
believed that its work will result in much permanent value to this 
county. The men and women, who are themselves its history, are 
fast passing away, and it is of great importance that the record of 
their lives should be preserved for the accurate information of 
future historians. It is important that the autobiographies, biog- 
raphies, portraits, personal mementoes, and all written doc ments 
of these pioneers be preserved. Now is the time for this work to 
begin, and the officers of the new society desire the co-operation of 
every citizen of this county, to the end that a valuable collection 
of such material may be gathered together. 

Very respectfully submitted, 

ELLIS B. USHER, 
Chairman of the Committee for the Organization of a 

County Historical Society. 



1 1 



C0MMIT1EE ON FINANCE. 

Your Committee on Finance, having received the estimates 
of the requirements of the various other committees, although 
the total amount seemed large, were not discouraged, for they be- 
lieved that the hearts of the people were as large as the sum needed, 
and at once commenced an active canvas. They foresaw that a 
great area of ground had to be gone over, and many people seen, in 
order to be successful, but they had the valuable assistance of the 
Chairman of the Executive Committee and others outside of their 
own body. 

The following is a statement of the total amount collected and 
the names of the subscribers : 

Appropriation from the Board of County Supervisors $ 500 00 

Subscriptions from citizens, as per list 2,587 50 

Sale of tickets for seats at fireworks 352 80 

Received from Driving Association for use of band 25 00 



$3,465 30 



LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 



Estate of G C Hixon, by 

FP Hixon $100 00 

J J Hogan 100 00 

The National Bank of 

La Crosse 100 00 

John Gund Brewing Co 100 00 

G Heileman Brewing Co 100 00 

C & J Michel Brew. Co 100 00 

C L Colman 100 00 

P & W Cigar Co 50 00 

Hon Levi Withee 50 00 

Losey & Woodward ... 50 00 

John Paul Lumber Co . . 50 00 

La Crosse City Ry Co . . 50 00 

Batavian Bank 50 00 

Sawyer & Austin 50 00 

George Zeisler & Sons . . 35 00 

La Crosse Plow Co 25 00 

John C Burns 25 00 



L W Foster 10 00 

Richardson & Frye .... 10 00 

L Coren 10 00 

Harry Miller 10 00 

Wiele & Schildman 10 00 

Paul Malin 10 00 

Forschler & Hosly 5 00 

H. Heil & Sons 5 00 

John Hundt 5 00 

J Neukomm 5 00 

FJToland 5 00 

Wilhelm-Nelson Carpet 

Co 5 00 

A Wehausen 5 00 

W J Hickiseh 5 00 

Holmes & Bigelow 5 00 

John Wacker ... 5 00 

C S Van Auken 5 00 

James G Miller 5 00 



12 



J B Funke Co 25 00 

Hon James McCord 25 00 

The La Crosse Groc. Co 25 00 

J S Medary Saddlery Co 25 00 

MKratchwill 25 00 

A PJatz 25 00 

CB Dickson 25 00 

Elliott-Loeffler Co 25 00 

State Bank of La Crosse 25 00 
Security Savings Bank 

of La Crosse 25 00 

La Crosse Cracker and 

Candy Co 25 00 

E R Barron Co 25 00 

Wendell A Anderson.. 20 00 

W W Cargill 25 00 

German American Bank 25 00 

N H and W W Withee 25 00 

J A Salzer Seed Co 25 00 

F S Walker 25 00 

S YHyde 25 00 

FACopeland 25 00 

F Bartl 25 00 

BE Edwards 20 00 

J C Easton 20 00 

J L Pettingill 20 00 

Camerc n hLou.ee 20 00 

William Doerflinger . . . 15 00 
Segelke Kohlhaus Mfg. 

Co 15 00 

M Funk Boiler Works. . 10 00 

Adam Kroner 10 00 

Smith Mfg. Co. , 10 00 

Stavrum & Hulberg... 10 00 

Voigt & Ritter 10 00 

BOtt&Sons 10 00 

The La Crosse Plumbing 

Supply Co 10 00 

T H Spence Drug Co. . . 10 00 



W A Strauss 5 00 

John Rackelman 5 00 

E C Josten 5 00 

Stuve & Thompson 5 00 

Charles H Marquardt . . 5 00 

M&C Newberg 5 00 

John Timp 5 00 

W M Bronson 5 00 

Robinson & Lyons 5 00 

M F Hayes 5 00 

B L Strouse & Co 5 00 

J A Girk 2 00 

A B Moll 5 00 

Charles B Gesell 5 00 

WT Irvine 5 00 

Fruit & Gordon 5 00 

Linker Bros 5 00 

R C Kuhn Sash & Door 

Co 5 00 

Weston & Simon 5 00 

J B Hettinger 5 00 

William Neibuhr 5 00 

John G Malin 5 00 

McConnell & Schweizer 5 00 

Ed Richardson 5 00 

Joseph Gutman 5 00 

Bloom & Berger 5 00 

TDServis 5 00 

W A Roosevelt Co 5 00 

H A Loeffler & Co 5 00 

Batchelder & Son 5 00 

Miller & Wolfe 5 00 

Hebberd & Co 5 00 

A V Fetter 5 00 

J A Erhart & Son 5 00 

La Crosse Book & Sta 

tionery Co 5 00 

Hon John Brindley .... 5 00 

R Elliott 5 00 



13 



H Noll 10 00 

Langdon & Boyd 10 00 

Odin JOyen 10 00 

Tillman Brothers 10 00 

V Tausche Hd w. Co . . . . 10 00 

F AShaldach 10 00 

Jule Freas 1 00 

J I Lamb 10 00 

M Guenther 10 00 

La Crosse Boot & Shoe 

MfgCo 10 00 

Peter Newberg 10 00 

A Gilbertson 10 00 

Davi*, Sorensen & Co. 10 00 

W J Boycott 10 00 

H T Waters 10 00 

Seielstad & Haugen .... 10 00 
Bleekman, Bloomingd'le 

& Bergh 10 00 

JohnDengler 10 00 

Palmer & Son, Livery. . 5 00 

Drs Powell & Powell ... 10 00 

M Tourtellotte 10 00 

A Lautz 5 

L Kleeber 5 

M Wannebo 5 

J M Vrchota 5 

OH Tyler 5 

N Haerter 5 

Higbee & Bunge 5 

NCBacheller 5 

Yeo & Clark 5 



00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 



William Franz 5 

C A Sterling 5 

George P Rog fc e 5 

A Bellerue 5 

W E Hadley 5 



C Abnit 5 

Bergoust Grocery Co . . . 5 

Jehlen Bros 5 

F Solomon 5 

Grand Union Tea Co . . . 5 

A M Watson 5 

Nic Kaiser 5 

M B Statheni 5 

Frank G Roth 5 

H H Byrne.. 5 

Dr Gatterdam 5 

John James & Co 5 

I G Loomis 5 

R A Scott 5 

William Lohmiller 2 50 

M E Mosher 10 00 

L Frey 20 00 

Hon G H Ray 10 00 

Fred Kroner Co 10 00 

S Gantert 5 

Hotel La Crosse 5 

C Beysohlag 5 



00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 



J EbnrT 

J Collins 

Mons Anderson . . 

J A Trane 

JS O'Connor 

Board of Supervisors. 



5 
5 

10 00 

5 00 

3 00 

500 00 



$3,087 00 
All these amounts were promptly paid and turned over to the 
Treasurer, and his statement and the reports of the other sub- 
committees will show bow the money was expended. 



I should be wanting in courtesy if I failed to acknowledge the 
cheerful manner in which every member threw himself into the 
work, and to emphasize the fact that the people of La Crosse, both 
in county and city, can always be relied upon for a generous 
response to the call of a proper occasion. 

Respectfully submitted, 

JOHN C. BURNS, 
Chairman Finance Committee. 



i5 

COMMITTEE ON DECORATIONS AND FLOATS. 

The Committee on Decorations beg leave to report that the 
work was systematised, divided and carried out as follows: 

The arch and street decorations were placed in charge of Mr. 
Hugo Schick, and in this he had the valuable assistance of all the 
Committee; Mr. G. M. Heath solicited the co-operation of the 
Merchants and Manufacturers in the display of floats, and arou ed 
interest in the floral carriage display, in which he was ably assisted 
by Mrs. W. W. Cargill who took charge of that feature of the 
event. 

Mr. C. F. Klein enlisted the secret and benevolent societies and 
similar bodies with much success. 

Mr. L. W. Foster superintended the gathering and organizing 
of the children for the red, white and blue floats of the Executive 
Committee a task in which he was ably assisted by Miss Bertha 
Riek, Mrs. L. H. Peck and Mrs. F. H Fowler. 

The Committee believe that the result of their labors fully 
repaid the efforts and time expended on the work : they feel that 
with the limited time allowed, only the hearty co operation of all 
concerned enabled them to do so much and keep the expense within 
the amount appropriated to their department. 

ODIN J. OYEN, 

Chairman. 



COMMITTEE ON GROUNDS AND STANDS. 

Your Committee on Grounds and St mds submit their report as 
follows : 

They erected a large platform on the east side of the Court 
House with 2,000 feet of seating capacity, and a band stand adjoin- 
ing; they provided a reviewing stand with comfortable seats for 
the ex-Mayors at the Main entrance to the City Building on State 
Street; they arranged 7,500 feet of seats on the new park at the 
public landing for parties to enjoy the fireworks, and band stands 
at the northeast and northwest corners of the enclosure. They 
distributed 2,050 complimentary tickets to subscribers and mem- 
bers of the various committees and sold to others a number suf- 
ficient to realize $352 80. In order to do this they had to some what 
exceed their appropriation but were thereby enabled to realize for 
the general fund a net surplus of $177.38. 

The Committee are indebted to the Board of Public Works for 
valuable assistance in laying off and preparing the grounds, and to 
the Chief of Police for his hearty and successful co-operation in 
maintaining order during the evening. 

Respectfully submitted, 

JOSEPH BOSCHERT, 
ORI J. SORENSEN, 
GEO. ZEISLER, Jr., 
C. L. LIEN, 
PETER NELSON, 

Committee. 



i7 

COMMITTEE ON MUSIC. 

The Committee on Music herewith submit a report of the 
arrangements made by them towards the success of this great cele- 
bration. On being appointed they directed their efforts to secure 
as much and as good music as possible and they have a reason to 
believe that those efforts were successful. 

The length of the parade required a judicious distribution of 
the music, but having procured six bands and a drum corps, a good 
effect was attained. Arrangements were also made for three of 
these bands to play at several points during the afternoon and two 
of them played at the public lxnding during the evening until 
after the fireworks. For the use of one of the bands during the 
afternoon at the driving park the Committee received $25.00 and 
were thus enabled to return $28.55 of their appropriation to the 
general fund. 

Respectfully submitted, 

WM. A. WIGGENHORN, 
JOHN D. HOGAN, 
W. F. GOODRICH, 

Committee. 



COMMITTEE ON PRINTING. 



The Committee on Printing, in submitting their financial 
report, beg leave to make the following statement of the work 
done by them. 

Circular letters, advertising cards and posters were distributed 
throughout the territory within a radius of one hundred miles of 
La Crosse. In addition to this, advertisements were put in the 
four daily papers published in the city. In connection with this 
work, we desire to particulary mention the assistance rendered us 
by the wholesale houses of the city and their traveling salesman, in 
distributing advertising cards and posters in territory not reached 
by the railroads. We also wish to mention the work done by the 
newspapers ot the county, in booming the celebration. 

That the work of your committee was not in vain, can be 
judged by the ten thousand visitors that were attracted to the 
city to see the celebration. 

W. C. WINTER, 

Chairman. 



i8 

COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION. 

To the Committee on Transportation was assigned the duty of 
arranging accommodation for bringing the people of our own and 
adjacent states to attend our great celebration. 

The committee realized that to insure a large attendance ample 
facilities must be arranged, both for arrival and departure, and 
their efforts were directed in that direction. 

The Chairman, under instructions, communicated with the 
agents of the various railroad lines entering the city, and with the 
masters of several steamboats available for passenger service. The 
preliminary work was rather discouraging, as the great demand 
for rolling stock at all points on that day precluded extra trains 
being fur ished to this point, but after much correspondence and 
great personal exertions, the difficulties were fairly met and reason- 
able means of transportation provided for. 

All trains on all the lines were well patronized, and your- com- 
mittee believe that if the railroad companies had made a rate of 
one fare for the round trip they would have carried double the 
number. 

Capt. Kratka brought from Lansing and other points on the 
steamer Pauline over 300. 

Capt. Wilcox, on the Lion, brought 400 from Fountain City; 
Capt. Buisson, with the C. W. Cowles, brought 1,000, and on the 
Lotus Capt. Case brought 500 from Winona and intermediate 
points. 

The Street Railway brought 1,000 people from Onalaska and 
the crowds who came by teams from all points of the compass 
poured in a continuous stream from dawn until nearly noon. 

Your committee submit the following estimate of visitors who 
neighbored with us on that day : 

By all the railroads 3,570 

By all boats 2,400 

From country, via Onalaska 1,000 

From country, by team 1, 500 

The latter is a very conservative estimate, and the committee 
feel assured that the total figures are under, rather than over, the 
mark. The total attendance from abroad was thus 8,470. 



19 

Your committee desire to thank the ageDts of the various 
transportation companies for their courtesy and the cheerful co- 
operation which they rendered, and also to express their obliga- 
tions to the Executive Committee of the Manufacturers and Job- 
bers' Union for their timely and effectual assistance. 

Respectfully submitted, 

W. L. KAEPPLER, 
JOHN C BURNS, 
H. J. HIRSHHEIMER, 
Committee on Transportation. 



20 



EEPORT OF COMMITTEE ON SPEAKERS. 



Your Commi' tee on Speakers found some difficulty in procur- 
ing a speaker worthy of the occasion, eloquence on that day being 
in great demand, but they are happy in being able to report that 
they succeeded beyond their most sanguine expectations. 

It will be conceded by all who heard the Hon. Eugene Elliott 
that his speech on that occasion was an effort such as we are rarely 
privileged to hear, whether viewed from an oratorical standpoint 
or as an exposition of all that was desirable to be avoided or emu- 
lated in the place which, as a people, we have taken among the 
nations of the earth. 

Its effect was heightened by the receipt on the platform of the 
news of the destruction of the Spanish fleet of vdmiral Cervera, of 
which the President of the day availed himself to punctuate his re- 
marks. 

Respectfully submitted, 

JAMES McCORD, 
G. M. WOODWARD, 
A. E. BLEEKMAN, 

Committee. 



21 
REPORT OF TREASURER. 

RECEIPTS. 

From CouLty Beard $500 00 

44 City subscriptions 2,587 50 

• ' Seats on public landing 352 80 

Hire of band at Driving Park 25 00 

$3,465 30 

DISBURSEMENTS. 

For Street and other decorations $900 00 

44 Stands, platforms, etc 175 42 

44 Bands, music, etc 491 45 

44 Speakers' committee 113 65 

4 4 Fireworks 799 25 

44 Advertising and printing 194 49 

44 Carriages for speakers, etc 7 00 

44 Badges, and printing same 18 50 

Medals for same 13 00 

44 Silk flag for Marshal 2 00 

4 4 Expenses of Marshal's office 2 70 

Expenses of Secretary, postage, etc .. . 6 60 2,724 06 

Surplus $741 24 

Less 25 per cent, of $2,587.50 returned to 
subscribers. Circulars, revenue stamps 
and postage distributing same 654 93 

Balance on hand to be used in publication 

and distribution of this pamphlet 56 31 

JOHN M. HOLLEY, 

Treasurer. 



22 

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MORNING. 

REPORT OF CHIEF MARSHAL. 

I herewith submit the following report comprising the features, 
incident to the duties assigned to me in connection with the Semi- 
centennial Celebration on July 4th, 1898. 

The day was all that could be desired, clear and cool, an ideal 
day for the occasion and the individuals and bodies participating 
were requested to report promptly at 10 A. M., to the assistant 
Marshals respectively commanding the divisions to which they were 
assigned. I am pleased in being tble to say that all responded, so 
that the procession was fully organized and moved promptly at 
10:30 as arranged. 

It was composed of eight divisions, each commanded by an 
assistant Marshal and moved in the following order, led by 
Platoon of Police in charge of Capt. Parks. 
Col. N R Nelson, Chief Marshal 

and his personal staff. 
Norris Batchellor, Chief of Staff. 
C. S. Van Auken Archie Morse 

John Michel, Jr. J. O. Storey 

J W. Losey Jr. J. L. Hougan 

Dr. Frank Weston Adelbert Miller 

J. P. Salzer H. A. Lavake 

FIRST DIVISION. 

Assistant Marshal, Martin Bergh. 

Langstadt's Band. 

Wilson Colwell Post, G. A. R. 

John Flynn Post, G. A. R 

City of La Crosse Letter Carriers. 

CARRIAGES CONTAINING 

J. W. Losey, President of the Day. 

Hon. Eugene Elliott, Speaker. 

Hon. James McCord, Mayor. 

John Pamperin, Chairman Executive Committee. 

The Vice Presidents of the County. 



The Vice Presidents of the City. 
County Board of Supervisors. 

County Officials. 

Common Council of the City. 

City Officials. 

Board of Education. 

Executive Committee. 

SECOND DIVISION. 

Assistant Marshal, Clarence B. Dickson. 

Professor Harare's Band of Preston. 

United Commercial Travelers — Red. 

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 

and floaWWhite. 

Catholic Order of Foresters— Blue. 

Norden Society. 

Germania Float and Guard. 

Liederkranz, Normanna, Frohsinn, Orpheus, 

Concordia and Fidelia Singing Societies. 

Fidelia Float and Guard. 

THIRD DIVISION. 

Assistant Marshal, John E. Langdon. 

Zouave Drum Corps. 

Third Ward Aid Society and Float. 

La Crosse Valley Lodge, I. O. O. F. 

Gateway City Lodge, I. 0. O. F. 

Normanna Lodge, I. O. O. F. 

Modern Woodmen Camp. 

C. S. P. S. Society. 

Concordia Society. 

Young Men's Christian Association, 50 Boys, 

Uniformed. 

FOURTH DIVISION. 

Assistant Marshal, J. G. Miller. 
Ladies' Onalaska Band. 
Three floats of the Executive Committee in red, white and blue, 
representing part of a gunboat fleet. 



24 



DISPLAY OF FLORAL CARRIAGES. 



Professor Toland's new English "brake." The decorations 
were red and white chrysanthemums and blue corn flowers. The 
occupants were Messrs. Lee Toland, Albert Scharpf, Harry Long, 
Bert Campbell and Neumeister. 

Mayor James McCord; carriage decorated with blue corn 
flowers; dark bay team. Mrs. McCord, Miss Cora Bennett and 
Miss Miss Agnes McCord. 

Hon. Levi Withee's trap; yellow and white chrysanthemums. 
Mr. Abner Withee and Miss Jennie Smith. 

Mrs. G. C Hixon; victoria, with light and dark heliotrope 
chrysanthemums; black horses. Mrs. Munson Burton and Mies 
Mary Crosby. 

Mr. L. C. Colman; pink chrysanthemums. Mr. and Mrs. 
Colman, Misses Grace Wyckoff and Laura Osborne. 

Mr. James Vincent; white chrysanthemums andgr^en foliage, 
white trappings. Mrs. Vincent, Mrs, Bloomingdale, Miss McKillip 
and Miss Agnes Vincent. 

Mr. Mills Tourtellotte; trap with red carnations and ivy leaves, 
grey team. Mr. and Mrs. Tourtellotte, Miss Eleanor McDonald and 
Miss Lillian Tourtellotte. 

Mr. Geo. M. Heath; purple morning glories, black team. Mrs. 
Heath, the Misses Mildred Holley, Grace Burroughs and Grace 
Heath. 

P. S. Davidson; pink chrysanthemums, grey horses, Mr. 
W. F. Davidson, Mrs. P. S Davidson, Mrs. Joseph Skinner and 
Miss Helen Burton. 

Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Withee were in a trap decorated with 
yellow chrysanthemums, and drawn by black horses. 

Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Tola' d; spider phaeton, covered with white 
chrysanthemums, black horse. 

Mr. F. A. Copt land's carriage, red chrysanthemums, Miss 
Marie Louise Copeland, Miss Irene Copeland and Miss Fanny 
Rodolf. 

Mr. S. Y. Hyde's trap; yellow chrysanthemums. Mr. Robert 
Hyde, Miss Georgina McDonald, and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. 
Pitkin. 



25 

Dr. Main and Miss Irma Eerger, phaeton with lavender ckiys- 
anthemums; whit horse with white trappings. 

Mr. Stephen Gantert, bay team, carriage decorations, pink 
chrysanthemums. Mr. Gantert, Mrs Ross, Miss Gantert and Miss 
Sophia Gantert. 

Mr. Albert Platz; purple and white chrysanthemums. Mrs. 
Platz, Miss Linda Berger, Miss Gretchen Salzer, Miss Caroline 
Lloyd and Mr. Albert Platz. 

Mr. John Gund Jr., yellow and white chrsanthemumg; Cleve- 
land bay team. Mr. and Mrs Gund and Mrs. H. L. Colman. 

Mr. Gysbert Van Steenwyk ; blue corn flowers. Mrs. Mollie 
Austin, Miss Louise McDonald and Miss May Van Steenwyk. 

Mr. F. P. Hixon, team of Cleveland bays; carriage decorations 
pink chrysanthemums. Mrs. Hixon and Miss Wagner ot Chicago. 

Mr. Charles Michel; white chrysanthemums. Miss Michel, 
Miss Freda Michel and Mrs. Luening. 

Mr. W. W. Cargill; red roses and smilax. Miss Cargill and 
Miss Jessie McMillan. 

Mr. W. R. Montague, trap; decorations of red, white and blue. 
Mr. and Mrs. Montague, Mies Helen Edwards and Miss Eva 
Bennett. 

Mr. Eugene Derr's cart; white chrysanthemums. Master 
Lester Derr and the Misses Lilah and Edith Derr. 

The Misses Marie Wheeler and Bessie Taylor ; cart with white 
daisies. 

Mr. Samuel Hyde, Mr. Robert Gordon, Miss Louisa Gund and 
Miss Ruth Heath; cart, red, white and blue. 

FIFTH DIVISION. 

Assistant Marshal, Nicholas Groff. 

North La Crosse Band. 

Catholic Societies, arranged by the Marshal commanding, 

Division Uniform Ranks at the head. 

St. Joseph Society. 

St. Bonifacious Society. 

St. Aloysius Society, 

St. Mary s Catholic Knights. 

Hibernians, North and South. 



26 

St. John's Society, North La Crosse. 

Bohemian Society, North La Crosse. 

Schaller's Drum Corps. 

St. Georgius Knights. 

St. Wenceslaus Society. 

tt. John's Society. 

Polish Congregation. 

Holy Cross Society . 

National Aid Society. 

Polish Guards. 

Holy Trinity Congregation. 

Holy Trinity Society. 

Luxemburger Society. 

St. Stanislaus Society. 

SIXTH DIVISION. 

Assistant Marshal, Dr. F. C. Suiter. 

Greenfield Band. 

Greenfield Exhibit and Troop of Rough Riders. 

Bangor Exhibit. 

Burns Exhibit. 

Campbell Exhibit. 

Farmington Exhibit. 

Holland Exhibit. . 

Hamilton Exhibit. 

Onalaska Exhibit. 

Shelby Exhibit. 

Washington Exhibit. 

West Salem Exhibit. 

City of Onalaska Exhibit. 

This division was closed by the ward floats, many of which 

were well gotten up. The Eighth Ward went to the least trouble, 

and the "exhibit" caused as much talk as anybody's. It consisted 

of a road cart, a keg of beer and a sign, "The Bloody Eighth." 

Besides this that ward had a float containing a number of 
pretty little girls in red, white and blue. 

The Fourth Ward wagon contained an old log cabin and 
Indians. 



27 

The Seventh Ward had a large wagon representing the United 
States, to which was attached smaller wagons representing Cuba, 
the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. 

The Eleventh Ward had a float, and "Goosetown" was well 
represented by two large ganders in a cage. 

The float of the Thirteenth Ward attracted much attention. It 
represented Columbia, surrounded by the thirteen original states, 
all represented by beautiful young ladies, receiving Wisconsin into 
the Union, and was both original and suggestive. 

SEVENTH DIVISION. 

Assistant Marshal, R. A. Scott. 

Thife may be designated as the Industrial and Commercial Div- 
ision, and was led by 

The Bangor Band. 

The C. H. Nichols Lumber Company, of Onalaska, came first 
with a load of their productions. Then a primitive ox team and 
prairie schooner, labeled "1848; poor roads and poor loads." Im- 
mediately following came a fine team of horses with a huge load of 
wheat in a strictly up-to-date wagon. This represented. "1898; 
good roads and good loads." 

The float representing the five breweries in the city was one of 
the most elaborate in the parade. Carl Urkwitz, of the Tivoli, 
seated on the throne, impersonated Gambrinus. A number of 
festive gnomes were around him. The float was drawn by ten 
horses. 

The Fred Kroner Hardware Company had a large float drawn 
by six horses. It contained a fine display of their line of goods. 

The Mons Anderson Company's float represented an old fort- 
ress. 

J. J. Hogan displayed "Our Territory," showing La Crosse 
with its fine shipping facilities. 

The Segelke-Kohlhaus Company was well represented. 

The float of the Pamperin & Wiggenhorn Cigar Company rep- 
resented the Cuban tobacco industry. It was driven by a man in 
Cuban costume. This display was one of the most beautiful and 
artistic features in the parade. Louis Tillman represented Ibykus, 
and at his feet were three pretty black haired girls, (the Misses 



28 

Biidsell) who represented Cuban girls. The company received 
many compliments on its novel display. 

The La Crosse Grocery Company, Salzer Seed Company and 
the La Crosse Plow Company followed. Each had a float appro- 
priate to their respective lines of business. 

John C Burns was out with three wagons, the first containing 
a display of fruits. 

Voigt & Bitter displayed a fine wagon built by them for the 
C. & J. Michel Brewing Company. 

The Funk Boiler Works exhibited a huge boiler, and another 
one with men at work. 

O. J. Oyen, who deserves much credit for the decorations in 
the parade, had a handsome float, drawn by four horses. Louis 
Oyen was busily engaged in displaying wall paper. 

M. B. Stathem displayed a huge rooster, representing his 
market. 

The Listman Mill Company had an interesting display of Mar- 
vel flour. Small bags were given out as souvenirs. 

The Champion binder had a float and thirty men iu line. 

The New Home Sewing Machine Company was represented by 
Volz, Bros. & Reuter. 

The V. Tausche Hardware Company was out with a battleship. 

Devine & Baker, tile sidewalk men, and the Reed and Rattan 
Works each had a creditable float. 

The La Crosse Soap Company had a wagon with a pretty little 
home, representing " Sweet Home" Soap. 

Frank G. Roth had a float built on two tandems. It repre- 
sented his business and advertised the ''Crescent" bicycle. 

Adam Kroner showed a line of hardware. 

John Jaires & Co., the Pioneer Foundry, had an interesting 
display of a steam engine and well drilling machinery. 

Other floats and displays were in the parade as follows : 

George Will, groceries; Schnell Bros., brick; J. E. Willing, 
shoes; Doud & Sons, coopers; W. A. Roosevelt Company, plumb- 
ing supplies; Gateway City Marble Works; Modern Steam Laun- 
dry; La Crosse Plumbing Supply Company; H. A. Loeffler & 
Company, George Herken; The Franklin Iron Works; Bailey & 
Weis, Books and Wall Paper ; The La Crosse Bakery ; Warninger 



29 

and Houthmaker, mineral and aerated waters; M. Hirshheimer, 
tents and awnings; J. H. Marden, tile work; The Gateway City 
Laundry; North Side Battling Works; The Star Laundry; Will C. 
Free, Sewing Machines; The Reliance Boiler Works and many 
others. 

EIGHTH DIVISION. 

Assistant Marshal, Captain C. A. Hunt. 
Entire Fire Department and Apparatus. 
This was the last and one of the best features of the parade the 
fire department tking out in full force, men and apparatus. Every- 
thing was neat and clean which is one of the features of the La 
Crosse fire department under Chief Hunt's management. The 
apparatus were all decorated with flowers and flags. 

The procession was nearly three miles in length, and the 
distance covered over forty blocks; the line of march was from the 
Market Square to Pearl street, west to Front, north to Main, east 
to Sixth, south to Cass, east to Eleventh, north to State, west to 
Fourth, north to La Crosse, west to Third, south to Jay and east to 
Market Square, where the divisions were dismissed, the time oc- 
cupied by the march having been one hour and forty-five minutes. 

In closing this report I desire to express my appreciation and 
grateful thanks to the Assistant Marshals, Aids, Chief of Staff and 
Staff for the cordial support given me, and which made it possible 
o move so large a procession without a single hitch. 

I also embrace the opportunity of expressing my thanks to all 
who had to co oper te in the work done, and to say that special 
credit is due to Mrs. W. W. Cargill and the ladies who assisted her 
in the preparation of the beautiful floral display in the Fourth 
Division, which was a dream of beauty we are seldom privileged 
to enjoy. 

Respectfully submitted, 

N. R. NELSON, 

Chief Marshal. 



30 

EXERCISES OF THE AFTERNOON. 



The arrangement for the afternoon was a mass meeting of 
the citizens on the Court House Square at 2:30 p. m.,to hear an 
address appropriate to the great event which they had turned 
out to celebrate, and the proceedings were in charge of 

J. W. Losey, President of the Day. 

Mr. Losey was most felicitous in his remarks introducing 
the speaker to the people of La Crosse county. Patriotic music 
filled up the intervals, but grandest of all was the rousing, log- 
ical and eloquent speech of the Hon. Eugene Elliott, who held 
the great mass of people in spellbound silence, relieved by oc- 
casional bursts of deafening applause. 

At the appointed hour the square was completely filled by 
an immense assemblage, and the grandstand was occupied by 
the County Board of Supervisors, the Mayor and Common 
Council, the ex-Mayors of La Crosse and the various officers 
of the day. 

The adjoining stand was appropriated to Langstadt's Mili- 
tary Band and a male chorus, composed of the members of all 
the musical organizations of the city. 

The proceedings were opened with an impressive prayer by 

The Right Rev. James Schwebach, 

followed by the reading of the Declaration of Independence by the 

Hon. B. F. Bryant. 

At its conclusion Mr. Losey advanced to the front of the 
platform, and taking the document just read as his text, nar- 



3i 

rated in glowing language the conditions and events incident to 
its adoption, its effect upon the history of the day, and the im- 
petus which it gave to the cause of liberty throughout the 
world. 

At this point the following telegram was put into his hands, 
which he immediately read to the assembled crowd : 

Off Santiago, July 4. — The fleet under my command offers 
to the nation as a Fourth of July greeting the destruction of the 
whole of Admiral Cervera's fleet. The Spanish fleet attempted 
to escape at 1:30 Sunday morning and at two o'clock the last of 
the Spanish ships, the Christobal Colon, had run ashore sixty 
miles west of Santiago and hauled down her colors. The Infanta 
Marie Teresa, Oquendo and Viscaya were forced ashore, burned 
or blown up within twenty miles of Santiago. The Pluton and 
Furor were destroyed within four miles of port. Our loss was 
two wounded and one killed. The enemies loss is probably 
several hundred from gun fire, explosions and drowning. Took 
about 1,300 prisoners including Admiral Cervera. Our man 
killed was George Ellis, chief yeoman of the Brooklyn. 

SAMPSON. 

The reading "of the message was hardly concluded when the 
crowd broke forth into enthusiastic and prolonged cheers and 
when Mr. Losey called for three cheers for Admiral Dewey and 
the American Navy, they were repeated again and again, while 
the band played "Columbia the Gem of the Ocean," with a spirit 
which seemed caught from the enthusiasm of the occasion. 

Order being at length restored, Mr. Losey in an eloquent 
and impassioned speech traced the history of the State of Wis- 
consin, from its territorial times until the present day ; followed 
up the development of the County and City of La Crosse and 
dwelt lovingly upon the memories of its pioneers, many of whom 
had passed to their rest, while some of them were honored par- 
ticipants in the present celebration. 



32 

He then introduced as the orator of the day, the 
HON. EUGENE ELLIOTT, 
of Milwaukee, who spoke as follows : 

H .inanity has been a longtime growing old. In the life of man, 
fifty years are a memorable period, but, in the life of races, cen- 
turies are the only mile f tones of progress. There are no records 
by which we can determine how many thousand years man was a 
savage nor how many thousand more he was a barbarian; even the 
history of semi-civi:ization begins in doubt. Compared with the 
ordinary span of human life, the world is old ; but there is no 
reason to believe that, with all its age in years humanity has, as 
yet, grown beyond its youth. The tendency of the babe is to smash 
things ; before he is old enough to be called a reasoning being his 
predominant trait is pugnacity. So, of the race. Ancient history 
and the greater part of modern history is written in blood. Take 
from it the monotonous story of its wars, eliminate its Alexanders, 
its Caesars and its Napoleons and little remains to repay the 
researches of the student. 

THERE IS NO HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE. 

It is true that Grecian art is the despair of modern times ; it is 
true that Egyptian scienre paved the way for later discoveries, that 
schools of philosophy flourished and that the luxury of Rome has 
never been excelled, but these constituted only a veneer upon social 
conditions that was incapable of hiding the rottenness beneath. 

INTELLIGENCE OF THE MASSES THE BASIS OF CIVILIZATION. 

The masses of the people did not share and probably could but 
poorly comprehend the privileges enjoyed by the few. If there 
was learning in Greece and civilization in Egypt, never the-less 
Greece was not learned nor was Egypt civilized ; th' ir learning 
and civilization were hot house plants indicative merely of what 
humanity was capable with proper cultivation ; before learning 
and civilization could be other than transitory and evanescent it 
was necessary that a suitable soil should be prepared in which they 
could take strong root. So for thousands of years we note the rise 
and growth and the decline and fall of empires, and the establish- 
ment and decay of ephemeral republics. Humanity was fertilizing 



33 

itself, creating soil from which was destined to spring the luxuriant 
vegetation of the nineteenth century. 

THE GOOD FORTUNE OF AMERICA. 

It was the good fortune of America, and particularly of Wis- 
consin and her younger sister states, that their part in the world 
drama should begin when the evolution of our race from savagery 
to civilization had opened up fields for human enterprise that the 
wildest dreams of the idealist had not ventured to forecast. 

It is the good fortune of Wisconsin, that upon the conclusion of 
her first fifty years of statehood, her people can look back upon a 
progress that is unexampled in the history of the world. 

From the busy marts of trade, from the crowded city streets, 
from town and hamlet and verdant field, from the pine forest and 
the mill, we come to do honor to this anniversary. Surrounding us, 
on every side, are evidences of prosperity and happiness that only 
ample wealth combined with the highest culture, refinement and 
intelligence could have provided, yet, when Wisconsin was admit- 
ted to the dignity of statehood, only the advance guard of the 
mighty host that has followed was established here. The wilder- 
ness reigned supreme ; the home of the savage beast, and yet more 
savage man. Naihan Myriek Wis Here, and John M. Levy, and 
shortly after Timothy Burns, but altogether less than an hundred 
people called what we now know as the county of La Crosse, their 
home. Thus men, yet in their prime, have been privileged to see 
during the short spaca of fifty years the grand evolution from sav- 
agery to the highest civilization ; an evolution that required, in the 
old world, sixty centuries to complete. Such a marvelous transfor- 
mation could only have been accomplished by extraordinary men 
under the inspiration of extraordinary conditions. 

The most modest merit could not fail to appreciate this fact, nor 
will it seek to deny itself the pleasure of felici.ation upon its suc- 
cess. It will rather add to than detract from that pleasure to 
reflect that the congratulations due to this occasion are shared by 
the entire commonwealth of Wisconsin; for the sagacity, the thrift, 
the enterprise and the tenacity that achieved success for Western 
Wisconsin, exemplify similar traits in all parts of our great state. 
We content ourselves, therefore, with but a glance at events of 



34 

merely local importance to consider, briefly, the wider field of 
State affairs. 

THE HISTORY OF THE STATE IS THE HISTORY AS WELL OF LA CROSSE 
COUNTY AND OF WESTERN WISCONSIN. 

In the executive Chamber, in the Senate of the United States, 
in every department of our State government, you have been re- 
presented ; your aid has been sought and given, your counsel has 
been asked and heeded in the conduct of every important event. 

THE KEY NOTE OF SUCCESS. 

The greatness of the State of Wisconsin was assured from the 
adoption of the constitution. The key notes of that greatness was 
struck in the guaranty of the inherent rights of life, liberty and 
the pursuit of happiness, of liberty of speech, of the covenant that 
"The right of every man to worship Almighty God according to 
the dictates of his own conscience, shall never be infringed nor 
shall any man be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of 
worship or to maintain any ministry against his consent; nor shall 
any control of or interference with the rights of conscience be per- 
mitted or any preference be given by law to any religious estab- 
lishment or modes of worship ; nor shall any money be drawn from 
the treasury for the benefit of religious societies or religious or 
theological seminaries," and in the provision that "The legislature 
shall provide by law for the establishment of district schools which 
shall be as nearly uniform as practicable ; and such schools shall be 
free and without charge for tuition to all children between the ages 
of four and twenty years ; and no sectarian instruction shall be 
allowed therein." 

These wise enactments that embody within the fundamental 
law of our State the principle of freedom of action, of religious 
toleration, and of universal education, crystallize the results of a 
struggle that has been going on for thousands of years. Only in 
the Nineteenth century, only in the United States of America was 
such an event possible. 

THE SPECIAL PRIVILEGES OF AMERICA. 

We regard our rights of thought and action and educational 
privileges as matter of course ignoring the fact that in the greater 



35 

part of the world today no such rights and no such privileges exist. 
Herein is the distinction between the vigorous and permanent 
civilization of America and the ephemeral civilization of the past ; 
herein centers our confidence in the future of the great republic 
whose existence depends, not upon the whim or favor of a limited 
class, but upon the intelligent patriotism of the masses each one of 
whom, as a voter, is an integral part of the government. 

SUPERVISION OP CORPORATIONS. 

The framers of our State Constitution were pioneers in the in- 
corporation within our organic law of another provision, not found 
in the constitutions of many of the older states, but wnich experi- 
ence has proven to be of vital importance. I refer to the section 
prohibiting the creation of corporations by special act and reserving 
to the legislature the power of amendment and repeal. 

There should never be any clash between the people and the 
corporations that they have created; their true interests are 
identical ; the welfare of each depends upon the prosperity of the 
other nor, I apprehend, can antagonism arise between them that is 
not born of trespass upon equitable principles. But the best way 
to prevent a wrong is to keep and use, when necessary, the power 
to redress it. The ounce of prevention afforded by our constitution 
in this regard, has already been worth many pounds of cure. 

WOMAN'S RIGHTS. 

The same broad minded statesmanship that so readily devised 
means for the protection of rights and the redress of wrongs, was 
prompt to recognize the fact that woman is, by nature and should 
be before the law, the equal of man. It was the highest tribute 
that could have been paid to the pioneer women of our state that 
Wisconsin should have been one of the first to strike off the shack- 
les with which the common law, so unjustly, fettered them. It 
was a noble compliment nobly deserved by a sex that has crowned 
our Wisconsin homes with purity, refinement and loving self- 
sacrifice and made of them shrines before which the incense of all 
that is good and beautiful and true is kept forever burning. 

LOYALTY OF WISCONSIN TO THE REPUBLIC. 

Fellow citizens : Wisconsin took her place among the sister- 
hood of states professing sincere loyalty to the constitution and 



36 

laws of the great Republic. During the fifty years that have 
elapsed, she has never wavered in fidelity to those professions nor 
flinched when her loyalty was put to the test. In the great war 
for the preservation of the Union, she armed and sent forth to 
battle more than ninety thousand of her sons and from her sub- 
stance, to sustain the government, promptly and cheerfully an- 
swered every demand. The statement of General Sherman that 
"We estimated a Wisconsin regiment as equal to an ordinary 
brigade," was no idle compliment to the merits of the Wisconsin 
soldier boys, for Wisconsin had more than one brigade of iron. 

That the same patriotic loyalty that rocked the cradle of our 
infant state continues to be cherished in our hearts with undimin- 
ished fervor, is attested by the presence of this vast assemblage 
gathered to do honor to the birthday of our state by worthily cel- 
ebrating the one-hundred and twenty-second anniversary of 
Independence Day. 

WISCONSIN'S HOMAGE TO INDEPENDENCE DAY. 

For half a century Wisconsin has done annual homage to the 
sentiments inspired and symbolized by this day and now, upon its 
return and upon this, the fifty -first birthday of our State, we come 
to renew our pledge of fidelity to the flag for which our fathers 
fought, to the Republic for which our brothers died. 

This annual convention has never been an unmeaning cer- 
emony, nor has it ever been inspired by sinister or unworthy 
motives; but, upon this occasion, added solemnity is given to our 
meeting by the fact that each breeze that sweeps from the south, 
"brings to our ears the clash of resounding arms." 

For the first time since Appomattox we are at war; in its pro- 
secution our government is entitled to and will receive the loyal 
support of every patriotic citizen, notwithstanding^ the fact ^that 
the contest has been forced upon us by circumstances beyond our 
control and comes unwelcome, unbidden and unsought. 

Ihirty-three years of profound peace had not healed the 
bruises nor enabled us to forget the horrors of war. It is true that 
during that time the American people had suffered repeated spasms 
of bellicose passions and that jingo statesmanship continued to be 
cultivated as a cheap way of winning popular applause ; it is true 



37 

that the great American game was the twisting of the British lion's 
tail, and that the amusement most thoroughly enjoyed was hearing 
the British lion roar ; but it is no less true that the intelligent 
judgment of intelligent people was averse to war. The solemn ser- 
vice of memorial day constituted an annual reminder of what war 
cost and the often repeated reminiscences of the survivors of the 
Grand Army, were indisputable evidence of the misery that foil jw- 
ed in its wake Moreover, in this year of our Lord, One Thousand 
Eight Hundred Ninety Eight, America was beginning to take heart 
in the hope that a period of financial depression almost unprece- 
dented in its history, had finally come to a close, and that the storm 
of disaster, before which the sturdiest fortunes bent and broke, had 
at last spent its fury. To men, who for five years had been strug- 
gling to save the wreck of their estates, war came as an intrusive, 
unwelcome spectre at the feast of returning prosperity. It meant 
to them a postponment of those good times that they had been 
congratulating themselves, were not only coming but had already 
come. It meant the imposition of war taxes on the necessaries of 
life, thereby adding from a third to a half upon the cost of living ; 
it meant a return to stamp duties— the most onerous and conse- 
quently most odious of all forms of taxation. 

THE WAR NOT JUSTIFIED BY ESTABLISHED AMERICAN DOCTRINE. 

The misgivings caused by such considerations were not soothed 
by the reflection that interference between Spain and Cuba was not 
justified by any established American policy. It has been urg3d 
that such interference was warranted by the Monroe doctrine, but 
that statement is incorrect. The declaration of President Monroe 
was to the effect that the United States would regard as an un- 
friendly act any attempt to extend the monarchical system of 
Europe over any part of the Western hemisphere, but it was not 
intimated by that memorable document, nor has it ever since been 
made a part of our political creed, that it was our duty to inter- 
vene in the domestic quarrels of European nations and their Ameri- 
can Colonies. There was no thought of intervention in the wars 
that preceded the establishment of the various South American re- 
publics, and even when France invaded Mexico and attempted to 
erect there an empire upon the ruins of the Mexican Republic, 



38 

Secretary Seward officially instructed Mr. Motley, our minister to 
Austria, that : "The United States have neither a right nor any 
disposition to intervene by force in the internal affairs of Mexico, 
whether to establish or maintain a republican or even a domestic 
government there, or to overthrow an imperial or foreign one, if 
Mexico shall choose to establish or accept it." 

The narrow limits to which this address is necessarily rest- 
ricted, precludes the possibility of taking more than a glance at 
facts that can not be disputed, and which prove that interference 
in Cuban affairs cannot be sustained, upon the ground that it is in 
accordance with a doctrine to which the honor of the United States 
has been pledged. It is equally true that such interference is an- 
tagonistic to principles that Washington and his associates were 
strenous in impressing upon American policy. 

When the question of our flag was under consideration, Ben- 
jamin Franklin proposed the device of a rattlesnake, coiled as if to 
spring with the legend "Don't tread on me," as peculiarly charac- 
teristic of the function which the Republic was expected to fill 
among the nations. He urged that the rattlesnade never went out 
of its way to attack and never attacked except in selfdefense, and 
then only after ample warning, but was venomous in defending its 
own rights and when it struck it killed. 

The proposition was, fortunately, not adopted, but it shows 
how tenacious the founders of our government were in embodying 
the theory of isolation among our national maxims. They foresaw 
that the time must come when under the pressure of conditions 
that would then be deemed obligatory or yielding to military 
enthusiasm, or inspired by hope of conquest, the United States 
would be tempted to take a hand in the game of international 
politics; they foresaw that unless that temptation was successfully 
resisted, large standing armies and navies such as weighed down 
the older nations, must result; that alliances offensive and defen- 
sive would necessarily follow, and that our institution would be 
strained by wars, whose objective motives in no wise benefited a 
people who were enabled by geographical position to conduct their 
own affairs secure from foreign interference so long as they minded 
only their own business. 



39 

THE WISE STATESMANSHIP OF PRESIDENT MCKINLEY. 

The skillful diplomacy of President McKinley, his generous 
forbearance of word and action, the cool determination with which 
he resisted all attempt to force him into unwarranted or ill advised 
measures, do equal credit to his head and his heart, and prove that 
he was alive to the supreme importance of averting war, if war, 
without dishonor, could be avoided. But though the president and 
the people were sincerely opposed to war, the greatest human skill, 
the wisest statesmanship was powerless to prevent it, and today 
we are at war, not because we want to fight, but because it is our 
duty to fight, and fight we will to the bitter end, let the conse- 
quences be what they may. For this is God's war. 

"THERE IS A DIVINITY THAT SHAPES OUR ENDS." 

If, when I began the study of American history, I had been an 
atheist, long lef ore I could have finished my task I would have been 
forced to the conclusion that "there is a divinity that shapes the 
end of" nations as well as "men rough hew them how we will." 
Note how conditions interlock, how events link into a chain lead- 
ing up to a government, free in practice as well as in theory, of the 
people, for the people and by the people. Such a government must 
depend for its perpetuity upon the patriotic intelligence of the 
masses who, knowing their rights, are capable of defending them. 
Its foundations could not have been laid in Europe where there 
were no people, otherwise competent, who were sufficiently strong 
in number to resist the attack that monarchical jealou-ies would 
have speedily fomented ; the hands of royalty weighed too heavily 
upon their subjects to have justified even the thought of such an 
attempt. It was absolutely necessary that the starting point of 
such a venture should be far from those influences whose interests 
would incite them to crush it. When the time was ripe, Columbus 
discovered America, and thither for three hundred years the vic- 
tims of civil and religious persecution fled for refuge, carrying with 
them sentiments of sincere affection for that civil and religious 
liberty that had been denied to them by their fatherland. In the 
comparative security of their new home they became independent 
in thought and action ; their struggle for existence gave them brav- 
ery and fortitude, but it was only when they were numerous 



40 

enough and rich enough to maintain themselves that the govern- 
ment of Great Britain inaugurated a system of tyrannical procedure 
that wise statesmanship could not avoid seeing would produce 
revolt. 

The colonists were as devotedly loyal to King George as were 
their English kinsmen, until he scourged them into rebellion ; the 
war for independence was not fought to found a Republic; the 
federal Union was an afterthought inspired by conditions. The 
Union was based upon certain vital principles of which the most 
important was that all men are created equal; yet the Union never 
would have been organized had not its constitution given the lie to 
its principles by at least impliedly recognizing human slavery. 
Seventy years afterwards there was civil war, brought about by 
slavery, yet that was not fought by the North to abolish slavery, 
but to maintain the Union. In the great uprising of the North that 
followed the assault upon Sumpter, the only thought was that our 
flag had been insulted and must be vindicated; that federal 
authority had been defied and must be restored ; that the Union was 
in danger ana must be saved, Hardly a man of all those who an- 
swered the call of Father Abraham anticipated the momentous 
result, and it is safe to say, that had that result been anticipated, 
had the abolition of slavery been the avowed object of the war, 
the attachment of our people to the constitution and to the rights 
of the states under it, was such that its successful prosecution 
would have been rendered doubtful, if not impossible. 

It was only after McDowell had been routed at Bull Run, after 
McClellan had been driven from the peninsula, after Pope had been 
cut to pieces at Manassas, after Lee had carried the war into the 
north, and was flaunting the flag of secession at our very doors, 
that President Lincoln found sentiment ripe for the emancipation 
of the slaves. Then the abolition of slavery became a military 
necessity. But if conditions had besn reversed, if the North had 
been victorious at Bull Run and McClellan had captured Richmond, 
who can doubt that the South would have proferred terms of peace 
or that the public opinion of the North would have gladly accepted 
the terms and would have restored* the wayward sisters to all their 
old time rights including the maintainance of slavery? We cannot 
deny the truth; the great act of philanthropy that immortalized 



41 

Abraham Lincoln and shed enduring lustre upon the American 
Republic, was extorted by necessity, from hesitating, if not unwil- 
ling, hands. It was an overruling d vinity that shaped our ends. 
The events that led up to our present war with Spain, are no less 
notable. 

We saw poor Cuba crushed under the iron heel of Spanish 
despotism, but we said "we must not interfere, it is not our country 
nor our business;" we saw its people, driven to despair, rise in 
revolution, yet we said, "we must not aid them, it is not our 
affairs;" we saw its patriot armies, half naked, poorly fed, fight 
against odds greater than our fathers fought against in our war for 
independence; we applauded their heroism, but we said "we can 
only give you our moral support;" we saw old men, women and 
children driven from tkeir homes and left to starve; we heard their 
cries of despair, we heard their pleas for help; we saw them die, 
not by thousands but by hundreds of thousands, but we said, "we 
cannot interfere for intervention means war, and war costs men and 
money; besides we believe in the "splendid isolation" of the United 
States, but we assure you of our sympathy." We realized that the 
most corrupt, the most cruel, the most bigoted and most perfidious 
nation in the world, a robber and a butcher among nations, a 
nation whose long career fails to show a single act of magnanimous 
liberality, the intolerant foe of progress, the steadfast ally of 
despotism, whose crest should be a tnumb screw and whose coat of 
arms should be a rack, we realized that this nation was waging 
war of extermination at our very doors against a people whose only 
crime was a determination to be free, but we refused to act until 
we were forced to act through the destruction of the Maine. Then 
we did what humanity had been bidding us to do for years, but 
what expediency and self-interest had prevented us from doing. 

Truly, "there is a divinity that shapes our ends, rough hew 
them how we will." 

THE LOSS AND GAIN OF WAR. 

Having drawn the sword let us, as a united people, press for- 
ward, with undaunted fortitude, f to that victory to which the jus- 
tice of our cause entitles us. Our losses will be severe, but the glori- 
ous result is certain, and there are some gains that even ordinary 
intelligence can forecast that will far out weigh our loss. 



42 

OCCASSIONAL WAR IS A NECESSITY TO THE WELFARE OF THE REPUBLIC. 

To this country have come people of every nativity in con- 
stantly increasing floods of immigration. The best brai and the 
strongest muscle of every civilized people is represented here, and 
one of the problems that presses upon consideration, is how to amal- 
gamate these diverse elements, how to weld them into a common 
mass, united in customs, in institutions and inlaws. The tree, trans- 
planted, must take root among its new surroundings or it will die. 
The immigrant, whom our generous laws vest with almost instant 
citizenship, must, in justilicatiou of that citizenship, become in- 
spired with the same patriotic instincts towards his adopted coun- 
try that it is natural for him to feel towards his fatherland. He 
must become endowed with the sense of proprietorship ; he must 
feel that this country is his country, that our flag is his flag ; his 
not by gift, not out of charity, but by right of service for it. He 
may admire the heroism of our revolutionary ancestors, but he can- 
not feel that pride in their achievements that he would feel if his 
ancestors had starved at Valley Forge or bled at Bunker Hill. 

War is a creator of such patriotic feelings, the best educator to 
love for our flag and all that it symbolizes, because it creates tradi- 
tions in which all who were concerned in it, must take a personal 
interest. I care not where he may have been born, no man passed 
through the fiery ordeal of the war for the Uoion without coming 
out an American citizen in the fullest sense of the term, and no man 
from Germany or Scandinavia, Great Britain or Ireland will fight 
for our flag in this war against Spain without being baptized into a 
love for his adopted country that he could gain in no other way. 

ONE COUNTRY AND ONE FLAG. 

But the greatest gain arises from the fact that the war will for- 
ever abolish sectional prejudice. Over shadowing all else, the 
harmony between the sections that is being promoted by this war, 
will be of priceless value. The u bloody chasm" that once divided 
the north from the south is filled with olive branches, and northern 
and southerner, as comrades now, march over it to the drum beat 
of the Union. Dewey of Vermont and Hobson of, Alabama vie 
with each other in heroic deeds. The last vestage of sectional bit- 
terness lies buried with the Maine beneath the waters of the gulf, 



43 

and Fitz Hugh Leo of Virginia at the head of Wisconsin men 
presses forward to revenge the wrong. At last, the Union is re- 
stored in sentiment as well as in form ; at last, we are one people 
acknowledging but one country and one flag ; at last we are pre- 
pared as a nation to go forward upon a glorious mission for which 
Divine Providence is marking out the way. That mission is not 
one of conquest ; as a Republic, our territory is already danger- 
ously large, as a people, we should learn to govern ourselves before 
we undertake to govern others. But while avoiding territorial 
aggrandizement and equahy avoiding international entaglements 
that would make us the tool of European ambition, we must sub- 
mit to such modification of the theory of "splended isolation" as 
will enable the United States to exercise that influence for good 
that it is her province to exert. 

Neither an individual nor a nation is create! to live alone for 
selfish purposes; nations as well as individuals must contribute to 
the well being of their associates. For more than one hundred 
years the United States has tried to ignore this principle, moved 
by self interest ; but when that principle was first promulgated we 
were the weakest, as we are now the strongest, we were the poor- 
est, as we are now the richest nation in the world. If, under these 
changed conditions, America should now, without formal alliance, 
come to a understanding with that friendly nation whose hand has 
restrained the dogs of war from flying at our throat in aid of Spain, 
a new and glorious era for humanity will dawn; an era of civiliza- 
tion without war, of religion without persecution, of perfect liberty 
under the law. 

When Mr. Elliott had concluded, Mr. Losey called for 
three cheers for the President of the United States, for the Army 
and Navy, and for the County and City of La Crosse, which 
were all given with a will. Before being dismissed the entire 
audience, led by the associated chorus and accompanied by the 
band, joined in singing 

"America" 

and with each succeeding stanza the harmonies swelled higher 
and higher, evincing an earnestness and depth of feeling almost 



44 

painful in its intensity. The meeting was then dismissed with* a 
benediction by the 

Rev. S. L. McKee. 

It was a scene never to be forgotten by those who parti- 
cipated. 



45 
THE CLOSING SCENES. 



During the rest of the day the streets of the City presented 
an animated scene; the sidewalks of Main and the adjacent 
streets Were utterly insufficient for the crowd of happy, smiling 
faces, and many had to take the "middle of the road." 

After dark, when the artistic Memorial Arch had been lit 
up by thousands of electric lights, Main street became impass- 
able, and continued so until the approaching fireworks drew off 
a portion of the crowd, permitting traffic to be resumed. 

I do not feel equal to the task of describing the proceed- 
ings of the evening ; they were entirely in the hands of the Com- 
mittee on Regatta and the Committee on Fireworks, and as their 
reports tell the story better than I could, I herewith submit 
them. 

COMMITTEE ON REGATTA. 
On being appointed as a sole committee on Regatta, I at once 
called myself to order and proceeded to lock over the ground, or 
rather the water. The committee found that La Crosse possesses a 
large fleet of steam, electric and naphtha launches, and was unani- 
mous in the belief that a grand naval demonstration could and 
should be made. We at once put every vessel in commission and 
appointed the chairman admiral of the fleet. The fleet was ordered 
to assemble for preparatory manoeuvres and its cheerful response 
obviated the nceessity of resorting to impressment. The Sea Dogs 
were apparently under the impression that they were required to 
assist in the bombardment of Manila, which formed so conspicuous 
a part of the programme of fireworks, and like the boys at Arcadia 
Fair, were bound to have three shots for a nickel at anything. 

' vfter a week of arduous drill during which the crews learnt the 
difference between fore and aft, could distinguish between star- 
board and port, could splice the main brace and learnt the locations 



4 6 

of the wine and shot lockers, it was found that they knew as much, 
and perhaps more, than the admiral. 

On the evening of July 4th, about three bells, the fleet assem- 
bled under the protection of the central fort of the bridge leading 
to the Neutral Zone, and waited in anxious silence for the darken- 
ing shadows of departing day to enable them to steal upon the 
enemy and take him by surprise. 

The fleet consisted of the South La Crosse, North La Crosse and 
Black River Squadrons and comprised the following vessels:' 
The Neche, battle ship, flying the pennant of the Admiral. 

Sunbeam, battle ship Captain W. F. Funk, 

Nancy Roann, battle ship Captain W. S. Cargill, 

Mabel, armoured cruiser Captain S. Y. Hyde, 

Iola, armoured cruiser Captain L. F. Easton, 

McKinley, armoured cruiser Captain Ben Ott, 

Sarah, armoured cruiser Captain J. C. Easton, 

Nellie, converted liner Captain J. M. Hixon, 

Utopia, converted liner Captain John Willing, 

Edna, torpedo destroyer , Captain C. Schrorder, 

Jenks, torpedo destroyer Captain John Jenks, 

Dora Nell, torpedo destroyer Captain C. H. Nichols, 

Otto, gunboat Captain Otto Goetzky , 

No. 44, gunboat Captain Vic. Buschmann, 

Kitty, gunboat Captain C. Oakins, 

Edna C, gunboat Captain W. W. Cargill, 

Great Eastern, dispatch boat Captain Wm. Tippets. 

As the appointed hour drew near the Admiral ordered a recon- 
noisance in force, with a view to overawe the spectators and hurry 
up the firework operators. At four bells the fleet accordingly moved 
N. by N. E. in sailing order, doubled and formed in line of battle, 
and in formation of every known and unknown character, with the 
crews at general quartern, delivering a heavy fire of shells, rockets 
and bombs. There with the lights from the cabin windows and 
signal lanterns produced a pleasing and novel effect, at least the 
Admiral was so informed, but he cannot affirm it of l is own know- 
ledge, having been busy between decks overhauling the lockers, and 
as some of the fellows who so informed him are candidates for 
office, he gives their statement for what it is worth. 



47 

The crews by this time were getting impatient for the signal to 
attack Manilla, and were quivering with excitement, when a grape 
vine telegraph was received informing them that it was all over. 

The Admiral at once gave the signal "Cease firing and go 
home," on which the fleet dispersed, highly pleased with the Ad- 
miral and themselves. 

Respectfully submitted, 

F. A. COPELAND, 
Sole committee and (very) Rear Admiral. 

COMMITTEE ON FIREWORKS. 

The Committee on Fireworks on being appointed at once opened 
a correspondence with the leading firework makers of the Country, 
and after due deliberation selected a programme for which the cost 
was a secondary consideration, being determined to present a pyro- 
technic display far excelling anything before seen in this city. It 
is difficult to foresee in advance and provide against the many little 
incidents, such as weather, etc, which help to make or mar tin 
effect of a particular detail, but the committee feel free to claim 
that in all but one feature of the programme, the display was a 
great surprise to the many thousands who witnessed it. Notwith- 
standing the determination of the committee that their first object 
should be an exhibition worthy of the occasion regardless of cost, 
they kept within $250 of the amount appropriated to their use, and 
while — 

" 'Tis not in mortals to command success, 

They did far more, they studied to deserve it." 

Respectfully submitted. 

E. T. MUELLER, 

Chairman. 

The foregoing reports are interesting in themselves, and in 
addition' possesses a certain degree of historical value; they re- 
cord not only the proceedings of the day but also the systematic 
preparation made for their production. The enthusiastic liber- 
ality of the entire community made them possible, and the zeal 
and earnestness which animated all to whom the work was en- 
trusted made them facts. 



4 8 

As will be seen by the report of the finance committee, the 

amount received from all sources was , . . . . $3>465-3° 

The total expense 2,724.06 

Leaving a surplus of $ 74 l - 2 4 

and the executive committee decided to return to the generous 
subscribers twenty-five per cent, of the amount of their respective 
subscription. 

Each committee has made a detailed statement of the work 
accomplished and presented vouchers for all expenditures. All 
of them performed the work assigned to them with zeal and 
energy and feel amply rewarded by the splendid success which 
they jointly achieved. 

The Chief Marshal, Colonel N. R. Nelson, performed his 
laborious duties of organizing and arranging the grand, magnifi- 
cent, industrial, historical and floral parade, over two miles in 
length, for which he has received universal credit. His report 
gives full details. 

The President of the Day. J. W. Losey, conducted the 
afternoon ceremonies with his proverbial ability, in a manner 
worthy of the occasion. 

The industrious and able Secretary, R. Calvert, has been the 
soul of all committees; he deserves special recognition for his 
unceasing and faithful performance of his duties. His introduc- 
tory gives the full history of the preparatory work for the 
celebration. 

Through the efforts of E. B. Usher, Chairman, of the His- 
torical Committee, a historical society was organized, which, no 
doubt, will be of great and lasting value. 

The city newspapers, the dailies : Chronicle, Republican 
and Leader, Press and Abend Stern, also the weeklies, the 
Argus, Nord Stern and Volksfreund, are all entitled to great 
credit for their unanimous support and stimulations. 



49 

From the report of the committee on transportation, we had 
on that day over 8000 visitors from Iowa, Minnesota and parts 
of our own State ; over twenty-five thousand people lined our 
beautifully decorated streets to witness the grand parade, as 
many were massed upon the river front to witness the magnifi- 
cent display of fireworks and notwithstanding the immense 
crowds, not a theft was committed, not a pocket picked, not a 
breach of the peace took place, and not the slightest disorder 
or disturbance occurred. 

Invitations to participate were extended to former citizens 
now residing at a distance, and many responded with congratu- 
lations and good wishes. .Among these was ex-Mayor Joseph 
Clarke, who sent the following letter : 

Philadelphia, Pa., June 27th, 1898. 

Mr. John Pamperin, Chairman, 

La Crosse, Wis. 
My Dear Sir : 

I thank you for your kind invitation of the 22nd, and I know 
of nothing that would give me greater pleasure than to take part in 
the celebration of Wisconsin's Semi-Centenriial at La Crosse on the 
4th of July. Until a few days ago, I looked forward to being in La 
Crosse at that time, but now find it will be impossible, and I sin- 
cerely regret it. But though absent in body, I will be with you in 
spirit. Every pulsation of my heart beats true to La Crosse and 
the legion of dear friends there. 

I trust the celebration may be a great success and that pros- 
perity may always attend the dear city. 

With regards to all the ex-Mayors and all my friends, and to 
yourself personally, I am 

Very truly yours, 

JOSEPH CLARKE. 

The present position of La Crosse in the scale of cities is 
presented at the close of this pamphlet and shows a wonderful 
growth in fifty years. Who can predict its future and that of 
our rich agricultural County. When the fifty years have ripened 



50 

into a century, the prophetic eye sees a county with every acre 
teeming with the products of the soil for which the City will fur- 
nish a home market. 

May not La Crosse then be a city of a hundred thousand 
people, its streets paved with brick and asphalt; it will assuredly 
have a water supply commensurate with its utmost needs, possi- 
bly fed from a reservoir on the top of Old Grandfather's PI uff, 
surrounded by a beautiful park, and many other advantages 
which are still in the womb of social and economic science, 
but it will not have a more patriotic, orderly and industrious 
people. 

The executive committee at its final meeting also decided 
that the proceedings should be published in its present form for 
future reference, and as a permanent record of this great event 
in the history of the County of La Crosse. At that meeting the 
thanks of the body were extended to the newspapers of the city, 
the Chief of Police and Force, the Board of Public Works, and 
all the sub-committees who so faithfully aided in the work. 
Especial mention was made of the Chairmain and Secretary 
Calvert, but both of these officials disclaim any special merit, 
and on their behalf I embrace the opportunity of cordially en- 
dorsing the sentiments of the executive committee towards all 
concerned whose zealous cooperation made our labors a con- 
tinual feast. 

For myself, I feel amply rewarded in being privileged to say 
"I too am a Citizen of La Crosse." 

Respectfully submitted, 

JOHN PAMPERIN, 
Chairman Exeutive Committee. 



5i 

THE CITY OF LA CROSSE, 

in the County of La Crosse, is the Second City in the State of 
Wisconsin, with a Population of 35,000. 

AND IS THE GATEWAY TO AND FROM ALL OF THE GREAT WEST lying 
north of the 42d parallel of latitude ; the entire trade between the east and that 
immense territory, both of domestic and imported staples going west and the 
cereals going seaward, must pass through it. 

IS SITUATED at the confluence of the La Crosse and Black rivprs with the Missis- 
sippi ; the Black river being one of the largest pine timber rivers in the country, 
tbe product of which is all handled in La Crosse, furnishing employment to eleven 
large mills, with a capacity of over one milium feet per day. Jt is also the outlet of 
all the pine and hardwood timber of the Wisconsin Valley seeking markets by rail. 

HAS thriving manufactories of Boots and Shoes, Sash, Doors and Blinds, Plows, Ag- 
ricultural Implements, Boilers and Heavy Machinery, extensive Carriage Works, 
Cracker and Knitting Factories, etc., large Flour Mills, Woolen Mills, a large Tan- 
nery, Mammoth Rubber Works, several Cooperages, five large Breweries, afford- 
ing a market for 150,000 bushels of barley and 100,000 pounds of hops per annum; 
extensive cigar manufactories and various other industries. 

HAS twenty-five miles of macadamized streets, thirty miles of water main and ten 
miles of street railway, operated by electricity. 

HAS an efficient full paid Fire Department, and the best system of Water Works in 
the Northwest. 

HAS four daily and six weekly newspapers and two religious monthlies, with an ag- 
gregate circulation of 26,260. 

TWO Telephone Companies supply a first-class local service, and give long distance 
connections 1200 miles west of the Mississippi. 

HAS fifty-five Churches, MODEL COMMON SCHOOLS, and a first-class HIGH 
SCHOOL and course. 

HAS SIX PUBLIC HALLS, and its, FOUR NEW OPERA HOUSES are acknowl- 
edged to be the most convenient and tastefully embellished in the Northwest. 

HAS A FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY, with over 20,000 volumes, placed in a handsome 
building, erected in terms of a bequest of the late Hon. C. C. Washburn. 

IS close to the hard timber fore-ts and immense pineries ; rates on coal and ore are 
always low, and for steam power its sawmills furnish fuel at an almost nominal 
cost. 

HAS in its vicinity an inexhaustible supply of iron ore waiting development. 

HAS the Mississippi river and eight railroads reaching in every direction, giving un- 
surpassed facilities for transportation. 

HAS for a market the whole of Western Wisconsin, Northern Iowa, Middle and 
Southern Minnesota, and the twin states of North and South Dakota, a field which 
is practically unlimited. 

HAS a large and increasing Jobbing Trade with these and other sections of the coun- 
try, and the country storekeeper can have his wants as fully and cheaply supplied 
as in the eastern markets. 

IS essentially the HOME OF THE WORKING MAN, with exceptional facilities for 
procuring CHEAP HOMES ; as a result the laboring classes are mostly all free- 
holders, and a steady supply of labor can always be relied upon. 

THE CITY is lighted by the Brush System of Electric Lighting and the Edison In- 
candescent System is largely used for interiors, both public and private. Coal "as 
is also supplied, both for light and fuel, at a reasonable rate. 

ITS citizens are enterprising and extend a HEARTY WELCOME TO ALL NEW- 
COMERS, and the Board of Trade will cheerfully assist any one in looking for a 
desirable site, either in business or residence. 

ADDRESS, 

R. CALVERT, Secretary Board of Trade. 



52 



OFFICIALS, LA CROSSE COUNTY, 1898. 



Chairman County Board W. C. Winter 

Judge of County Court John Brindley 

Sheriff. Gideon G. Lang 

Deputy Sheriff. J. C. Follmer 

Clerk Circuit Court S. W. Brown 

Register of Deeds Randolph Elliott 

District Attorney John E. McConnell 

County Clerk Milo J. Pitkin 

County Treasurer John Schild 

County Surveyor George P. Bradish 

Superintendent of Schools C. E. Lamb 



53 
COUNTY BOARD. 

Towns and Wards. Supervisors. 

Barre George D. Sprain 

Bangor William Smith 

Burns John N. Jones 

Campbell 0. H. Hawkins 

Farmington Frank Storandt 

Greenfield ' Herman Roesler 

Holland - A. H. Bratberg 

Hamilton Frank P. Coburn 

Onalaska Valentine S. Keppel 

Shelby George A. Hosmer 

Washington Wenzel Korn 

Village of West Salem Jay Pettingill 

City of Onalaska — 

First Ward - - Edward Larson 

Second Ward - Frank Pooler 

Third Waid - Charles G.Hall 

City of La Crosse — 

First Ward Joseph Poehling 

Second Ward James A. Trane 

Third Ward Albert H. Akre 

Fourth Ward Frank M. Clark 

Fifth Ward Joseph Gale 

Sixth Ward Thomas Stavrum 

Seventh Ward Nels. R. Nelson 

Eighth Ward Edward C. Riley 

Ninth Ward John Streeter 

Tenth Ward John J. Durland 

Eleventh Ward William J. Gautsch 

Twelfth Ward, Charles Spettle 

Thirteenth Ward Vincent Tausche 

Fourteenth Ward Charles S. Van Auken 

Fifteenth Ward George W. Young 

Sixteenth Ward. Walter C. Winter 

Seventeenth Ward George Will, Jr. 

Eighteenth Ward Clemens Schaller 

Nineteenth Ward Solomon Burdick 

Twentieth Ward Andrew C. Kahler 



54 



OFFICIALS, CITY OF LA CROSSE, 1898. 



Mayor James McCord 

City Clerk J. M. Vrchota 

City Treasurer M. Wannebo 

City Comptroller. ,Fred Ring 

City Attorney Martin Bergh 

City Engineer Frank C. Powell 

Police Justice Leonard Kleeber 

Chief of Police. H. H. Byrne 

Chief of Fire Department C. A. Hunt 

-d j r r> lv iir 1 1 Silas F. Nice, David E. Bice, Carl 
Board of Public Works J Hansqn 

Tax Commissioner Oswald Reichelt 

Assessors A. H. Mitchell, Ole L. Myhre 

Superintendent of Poor C. F. Sch arpf 



55 



COMMON COUNCIL. 



First Ward Leo W. Meyer 

Second Ward. . . - A - p - Clark 

Third Ward Walter W. Scott 

Fourth Ward Alfred J ames 

Fifth Ward Robert Schultze 

Sixth Ward Thomas H. Spence 

Seventh Ward Henry E. Home 

Eighth Ward John Falk 

Ninth Ward John Bergoust 

Tenth Ward Peter Nelson 

Eleventh Ward. Frank W. Bartl 

Twelfth Ward - Carl Ahrens 

Thirteenth Ward John Roller 

Fourteenth Ward - S. B. Oatman 

Fifteenth Ward Paul Will 

Sixteenth Ward H. K. Vincent 

Seventeenth Ward John Freehoff 

Eighteenth Ward James Sokolik 

Nineteenth Ward Peter Johnson 

Twentieth Ward Frank Brown 



56 

MAYORS OF LA CROSSE, 1856 TO 1898. 

Elected. 

1856 Thomas B. Stoddard 

1857 E. D. Campbell 

1858 David Taylor 

1859 James I. Lyndes 

i860 John M. Levy 

1861 Wilson Colwell 

1862 A. W. Pettibone 

1863 (re-elected). A. W. Pettibone 

1864 (re-elected) A. W. Pettibone 

1865 , W. J. Lloyd 

1866 .John M. Levy 

1867 (re elected) John M. Levy 

1868 Theodore Rodolf 

1 869 Charles L. Colman 

1870 Theodore Rodolf 

1 871 . Alex. McMillan 

1872 James I. Lyndes 

1873 •_ G. Van Steenwyk 

1874 G. M. Woodward 

1875 James Hogan 

1 876 (re-elected). James Hogan 

1877 George Edwards 

.1778 David Law 

1 879 (re-elected) David Law 

1880 Joseph Clark 

1881 H. F. Smiley 

1882 David Law 

1 883 (re-elected) David Law 

1884 W. A. Roosevelt 

1885 D. F. Powell 

1886 (re-elected) D. F. Powell 

1887 (for two years) David Austin 

1889 (for two years) John Dengler 

1 891 (for two years) F. A. Copeland 

1893 (for two years) D. F. Powell 

1 895 (for two years) D. F. Powell 

1897 (for two years) James McCord 



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